Muhammad's wives were the eleven women married to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Muslims refer to them as Mothers of the Believers (Arabic: Ummu l-Mu'minīn). Muslims use the term prominently before or after referring to them as a sign of respect. The term is derived from the Qur'anic verse [Qur'an 33:6] The Prophet is closer to the believers than their selves, and his wives are (as) their mothers.